SAFETY HARBOR - Pinellas County Animal Services has initiated a dangerous dog investigation now that officials have been told the bites inflicted on a 6-year-old boy Sunday by a mixed-breed pit bull were severe.

Linda Britland, the field enforcement manager for Animal Services, said investigators are seeking a copy of a Pinellas sheriff's report on the attack. Investigators are also asking that the parents of the boy, Tydal Sugar, provide specific information on the boy's injuries.

"From what we are being told, it was very severe," Britland said of the attack.

The Sugar family had been taking care of the 2-year-old pit bull, Tucker, for about a week as foster owners, Britland said. Technically, the dog belongs to Dunedin Doggie Rescue, she said.

Previously, Tucker was expected to remain in quarantine at Animal Services for a period of time to ensure he does not have rabies. Now that the dangerous dog investigation has commenced, he may remain there until the issue of his destruction is resolved, she said.

Britland said Animal Services may try to persuade Dunedin Doggie Rescue to turn the animal over to the county so that, if the investigation determines Tucker is a dangerous dog, it will be destroyed.

At about 6 p.m. Sunday, Tydal was at a park at 300 Salem St. with his mother and Tucker when the boy stepped into an ant pile, Pinellas sheriff's authorities said. When Tydal began screaming and yelling, the dog attacked him, they said.

Animal Services investigators have been told Tucker, who was on a leash, was pulled off the boy but managed to get to the child again, inflicting further bites, Britland said.

Tydal was bit on the shoulder and head, sheriff's authorities said, and was released from All Children's Hospital after undergoing treatment.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@....

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